Pattern: Empire Waist Cardigan by Pam Allen, from Classic Elite 9098 New Harbor
Needles: US 4 and 3
Yarn: Elann Luna in Midnight Sky
Notes: Excuse the unflattering, too big pants – it’s laundry time here! Anyway, I love this sweater. I knit the XS size, largely without alteration. I did knit only 1/2 inch of ribbing on the bottom, but other than that it’s to specs. This sweater feels very much like something I might want to buy in a store – it’s a classic yet modern cut, and I can see myself wearing it all the time.
Because the top of the sweater is knit sideways, I did have an operator error moment. At one point I was supposed to knit the back to a certain # of inches and then go onto the sleeves. I didn’t realize I should measure the neck opening side, not the bottom of the back, and ended up with a tiny bodice and much ripping back. So be sure you know where you are when knitting this. Other than that, the pattern was very clear. Picking up for the skirt, and then the increases for width were time consuming but not confusing.
The yarn was great, and I would use it again. It is a bit splitty, so picking up stitches wasn’t fun at all, but the results were worth it – it’s drapey and lightweight, perfect for our hot summers! The marled color was interesting without being odd looking. And it was an excellent value at under $3 a ball.
The sweater did stretch on washing, and now it’s perfect – it was a little small in the top before washing. I highly recommend this pattern, and am looking forward to knitting more classic elite patterns now that Pam Allen is doing such a great job there.
It’s absolutely beautiful and looks fantastic on you in just about every way – the color, the fit, the style, everything! If I saw that sweater in a store, I would buy it in a heartbeat but the great thing about knitting is the things you create beat out anything you could find in a store. You may have convinced to add yet another sweater to my queue.
Gorgeous! The color looks great on you. Off to queue pattern…
Very nice! It looks really flattering on you! Do you have any photos of the back? I’d love to see the empire cut on it.
Nice work, once again ! =)
Very classy sweater. And it looks wonderful on you, very swingy and graceful.
Super nice. I love the elbow length sleeves.
Lovely sweater! That color looks amazing with your hair, makes the red tones really pop.
What a lovely sweater! I’ll have to add this to my Ravelry queue!
It’s gorgeous! As all your knits
Wow – beautiful job. It fits you very well.
Gorgeous!! looks like a really wearable and classic addition. Great job!!
That looks amazing! It fits you perfectly and I love the color and shape. Do you have any photos of the back?
Incidentally, I really like the shirt you have underneath, also. You have a lot of cool clothes.
It looks great! Totally like something I’d buy in a store as well.
It’s really perfect, a three season sweater in a fabulous color. I too like the clothes you wear with your sweaters for the photo shoots. I’m curious to know if you choose the color for your sweaters based on tops you already own?
I LOOOVVEE Elann Luna… I am making a dress and a hat out of it right now.
So I appreciate you sharing your yarn info. This has really helped me out.
The yarn does split slightly, but in the end is worth it. This sweater looks so cute on you and the color is great for your skin and hair!
Very pretty. I’m sure this will be a staple in your wardrobe!
Oooh I love this, such pretty shape and very flattering.
I love this sweater too! And it’s #2 after I finish the one I’m currently working on. One question though – you look like a tiny person, and I see that you made the size xs. I’m not as small as you – somewhere between a P6 & P8, 5’3″ and 118 pounds. I’m a loose knitter, and even when I am “sure” I have guage, my things often come out too big. This is a lot of knitting and I certainly would not want that!! I’m going to make this out of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool. I’m struggling with XS vs SM. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mary
Hi!
Found you on Ravelry (I’m Yankee76) and this blog post was one of the reasons I decided to try this sweater. I wondered if you might be able to help me figure out one part of the pattern.
I just finished the back (top) and am about to start casting on to make the left side of the neckline and then the second sleeve.
The pattern says to cast on a certain number of stitches (for the neckline) and then it says to start the short rows for the shaping.
I feel like something is missing here – once I cast on the neckline, do I start the short rows on the same row? Or do I knit the cast-on row all the way through to the end, purl a row and THEN begin the short rows? I’m trying to compare it to what I did on the other side but because it’s “backwards” it is confusing me!
Thanks!
Y